Back in July, the State Government had suspended Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo from his role as the Rector and appointed Mr. Kehinde Alabi as the acting Rector. However, Odetayo challenged this decision in court and secured an interim injunction against the government from the Industrial Court on August 21, 2023.
Justice O. A. Ogunbowale, overseeing the case in Lagos, granted the order requested by Odetayo, effectively restraining the state government and its agents from taking any action regarding his suspension and the letter of query issued to him.
Consequently, Odetayo returned to his office earlier on Thursday, presenting the court injunction to the Chief Security Officer of the school and gaining support from a faction of lecturers.
Simultaneously, another faction aligned with the acting Rector, Alabi, gathered in a hall within the school to discuss their course of action before Alabi called for calm.
To restore peace on the campus, the state government issued a statement through the Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, instructing both staff and students to take a two-week break. Furthermore, the government froze the institution's accounts. The statement emphasized that these measures were essential to maintain peace following the rectorship dispute and Odetayo's return.
The directive from the government read, "This is to inform the general public, particularly members of staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on a two (2) weeks break, with immediate effect. The immediate break is a necessary action in order to maintain peace in the Institution consequent upon the forceful return of the suspended Rector, Dr. T.A. Odetayo. The general public should also note that School accounts have been frozen with immediate effect, and it is imperative that everyone cooperates fully and adheres to these directives."
